Week 18 ended the longest NFL season in history, and was not without its surprises, which is indicative of the 2021-2022 season as a whole. The Colts lost to the number one pick-bound Jacksonville, which opened the door for the Steelers. The Packers second (sometimes third) team was out-dueled by the Lions. San Francisco squeaked into the playoffs and broke Sean McVay’s streak of being unbeaten when entering halftime with the lead. And, of course, there was the tie that could have been in the Raiders-Chargers finale.
But now, the playoff seeding is official. So here is a look at the Super Bowl odds for each playoff team ahead of Super Wild Card weekend.
[Odds from FanDuel]
First round opponent: BYE
Super Bowl odds: +850
The Titans locked up the number one seed in the playoffs despite losing perhaps the best running back in the league, Derrick Henry, after just eight games. Despite their myriad injuries, the defense also played tough down the stretch. Tennessee might also be getting Henry back for the playoffs.
First round opponent: vs. Steelers
Super Bowl odds: +450
The Chiefs have the second-shortest odds to reach the Super Bowl. This tracks due to their high-powered offense, a defense that has come to life in the second half and the fact that they have represented the AFC in two straight Super Bowls, winning one. They will get the Steelers in Arrowhead first, whom they have already beaten there this season.
First round opponent: vs. New England Patriots
Super Bowl odds: +750
Buffalo has faltered this season in some surprising ways. None more surprising that an 9-6 loss to the lowly Jaguars. With that being said, they are still tied for the third-shortest odds to win the Super Bowl. This is likely due to quarterback Josh Allen’s propensity to take over a game with his arm and his legs. At their best, the Bills are a scary explosive offense. New York bettors may want to take advantage of these odds as FanDuel Sportsbook is running a promo for new users right now, especially, as online sportsbooks launch in the state. Take advantage of what is left of the season while there is still time seeing as the Bills are the only NY team that offers fans some hope.
First round opponent: vs. Raiders
Super Bowl odds: +1700
Cincinnati shocked most of the NFL world by winning the tough AFC North after a two win season in 2019 and a five win season in 2020. The connection between Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase did not skip a beat from their time at LSU. Burrow is getting MVP chatter and Ja’Marr Chase broke records in his first season in the league. The Bengals are also looking at a rematch of a regular season game as they face the Las Vegas Raiders.
First round opponent: at Bengals
Super Bowl odds: +5500
The second-longest odds to win the Super Bowl belong to the Raiders, who have overcome a shocking amount of turmoil to earn a playoff berth. Head coach Jon Gruden was fired among inflammatory emails, receiver Henry Ruggs III was released and jailed following a high-speed collision that killed a woman, Damon Arnette was cut after flashing weapons on Instagram. That does not even paint the full story of this season for them, either. Regardless, interim coach Rich Bisaccia beat the Chargers on a last second field goal to send the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
First round opponent: at Bills
Super Bowl odds: +2200
New England returns to the playoffs after just a one-year hiatus. Rookie quarterback Mac Jones has proved serviceable, if extremely safe, and the defense is just as good as most defenses under Bill Belichick. This team may have one of the most winnable games for underdogs in Super Wild Card weekend. They beat the Bills once in a windstorm as Jones only threw three passes. Throw out the records and the seeding when divisional foes meet in the playoffs. The Pats have long odds to win it all though, at +2200.
First round opponent: at Chiefs
Super Bowl odds: +9000
At +9000, the Steelers have the longest odds to win the Super Bowl, according to FanDuel. A record of 9-7-1 along with a loss by the Colts and a non-tie by the Raiders and Chargers snuck them into the seventh seed in the playoffs. An inconsistent offense and a defense that does not do much but rush the passer will have to go up against the juggernaut Chiefs in the first round.
Featured image courtesy of USA TODAY Sports
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